Abstract: The disclosed technology addresses durability issues with structures that are to be used in environments that are hostile to the materials used to construct such structures. One example is a structure configured to house a grilling element and configured to be used in an outdoor grilling environment. The Materials used define an overall low oxide structure that is also resistant to structural damage by life forms such as insects. The structure further provides adjustable firebox features and a venting system to make the structure more universal than prior art devices with regard to regulatory venting requirements. The disclosed technology also provides for electronic monitoring.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling the deployment of powerline communication networks and associated nodes on a powerline, wherein existing powerline communication networks connected to the powerline are detected and interrogated to ascertain communication bandwidth utilization rates and other information relating to the existing powerline communication networks and their associated nodes. The ability to detect the existence of powerline communication networks connected to the powerline, and to ascertain information relating to these existing powerline communication networks enables the new powerline communication network to be deployed on the powerline such that communication bandwidth allocation configuration settings for the new powerline communication network are met or exceeded.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling the deployment of powerline communication networks and associated nodes on a powerline, wherein existing powerline communication networks connected to the powerline are detected and interrogated to ascertain communication bandwidth utilization rates and other information relating to the existing powerline communication networks and their associated nodes. The ability to detect the existence of powerline communication networks connected to the powerline, and to ascertain information relating to these existing powerline communication networks enables the new powerline communication network to be deployed on the powerline such that communication bandwidth allocation configuration settings for the new powerline communication network are met or exceeded.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system is disclosed in which components of each conveyor module is designed for wireless mesh communication. The communications may be within a module or between modules. Certain of the components may be powered by battery, such that the components may be completely wireless. The network may be entirely self-configuring such that the modules may be assembled and the network established in a straightforward manner.

Abstract: An RF based state indicator for indicating the state of a control device is provided. The RF-based state indicator indicates the position of a control mechanism by using the position of the control mechanism to enable or disable an RF tag. An RF reader acquires RF transmitted data from enabled RF tags and uses the data to indicate or control an operation aspect of a device.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system is disclosed in which components of each conveyor module is designed for wireless mesh communication. The communications may be within a module or between modules. Certain of the components may be powered by battery, such that the components may be completely wireless. The network may be entirely self-configuring such that the modules may be assembled and the network established in a straightforward manner.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system is disclosed in which components of each conveyor module is designed for wireless mesh communication. The communications may be within a module or between modules. Certain of the components may be powered by battery, such that the components may be completely wireless. The network may be entirely self-configuring such that the modules may be assembled and the network established in a straightforward manner.

Abstract: An RF based state indicator for indicating the state of a control device is provided. The RF-based state indicator indicates the position of a control mechanism by using the position of the control mechanism to enable or disable an RF tag. An RF reader acquires RF transmitted data from enabled RF tags and uses the data to indicate or control an operation aspect of a device.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system is disclosed in which components of each conveyor module is designed for wireless mesh communication. The communications may be within a module or between modules. Certain of the components may be powered by battery, such that the components may be completely wireless. The network may be entirely self-configuring such that the modules may be assembled and the network established in a straightforward manner.

Abstract: A power amplifier is configured to operate in a first gain mode and a second gain mode. A first power amplifier input stage has an input and an output. A second power amplifier input stage has an input and an output, where the output of the second power amplifier input stage is coupled to the output of the first power amplifier input stage. The first input stage is turned on in response to a first bias voltage in the first gain mode and the second input stage is turned on in response to a second bias voltage in the second gain mode. Alternatively, a first input stage and an intermediate stage can be switched off by turning off their respective bias voltages, and a second input stage can be switched on by turning on its respective bias voltage; the intermediate stage and the second input stage sharing a common output.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling enhances immunity to periodic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit, such as a relay, includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a basis for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling provides enhanced immunity to periodic or cyclic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.

Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly comprising a frame and a mirror supported by the frame. The mirror includes a first mirror section and a second mirror section pivotally coupled to the first mirror section. A screw drive is supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame, and has a first threaded surface. An arm has an inner arm end supported by the screw drive and extends outwardly from the screw drive to an outer arm end. The inner arm end has a second threaded surface that engages the first threaded surface. The outer arm end supports the second mirror section. An arm cam projects from the outer arm end away from the second mirror section and defines a first cam surface. A frame cam projects from the frame toward the second mirror section and defines a second cam surface contacting the first cam surface.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit, such as a relay, includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a basis for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling provides enhanced immunity to periodic or cyclic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit, such as a relay, includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a basis for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling provides enhanced immunity to periodic or cyclic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.